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March 24, 2026
先xiān(xian1)
The character 先 (xiān) means 'first' or 'prior' and is often used to indicate something that happens before another event. It can also imply an early occurrence, emphasizing the importance of sequence in actions or events. You may encounter it in phrases indicating precedence or priority.
Strokes6Radical儿Frequency#242DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of precedence is significant, especially in social settings where the eldest or most senior person often goes first in meals or conversations. This reflects the respect for hierarchy and order.
Memory Tip
Think of 先 (xiān) as a person standing at the front of a line, ready to take the first step. The character has the radical for 'before' (先) which visually resembles someone leading the way, highlighting its meaning of something that comes first.
Meanings of 先
xiān(xian1)
1early
2prior
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 先
先Simplified
6Strokes
儿Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#242Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 先
Podcast: 先
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AI Study Notes for 先
Quick Contrast
先 (xiān) vs 首先 (shǒuxiān) — use 先 for general precedence, while 首先 emphasizes the first step in a sequence.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 先 (xiān) as a person standing at the front of a line, ready to take the first step. The character has the radical for 'before' (先) which visually resembles someone leading the way, highlighting its meaning of something that comes first.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone in pronunciation, as 先 is pronounced with a high level tone (first tone). Common collocations include 先走 (xiān zǒu, 'to go first') and 先来 (xiān lái, 'to come first'). Avoid confusion with other similar-sounding words like 现 (xiàn) which means 'now'.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 3 word, 先 connects well with other time-related vocabulary like 后 (hòu, 'after') and 以前 (yǐqián, 'before'). Focus on using 先 in sentences to express order and precedence.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of precedence is significant, especially in social settings where the eldest or most senior person often goes first in meals or conversations. This reflects the respect for hierarchy and order.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is confusing 先 (xiān) with 现 (xiàn), which means 'now.' For example, saying '我现去' (wǒ xiàn qù) instead of '我先去' (wǒ xiān qù) changes the meaning from 'I am going now' to 'I am going first.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 先
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Grammar Patterns of 先
先 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The hospital has pioneered the use of birthing pools.
Cultural Notes for 先
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of precedence is significant, especially in social settings where the eldest or most senior person often goes first in meals or conversations. This reflects the respect for hierarchy and order.
Word Family of 先
Compounds19
选xuan3to choose
洗xi3to wash
宪xian4statute
铣xi3mill
酰xian1acylate
冼Xian3surname
侁
兟shen1to advance
姺
筅xian3bamboo brush
诜shen1to question; to inform
跣xian3barefoot
駪
毨
烍
珗
詵
贊zan4to help, to support; to laud, to praise
銑xi3mill
Words Containing This Character20
先生xiānshengteacher
先xiānearly
首先shǒuxiānfirst (of all)
先进xiānjìnto advance先進
先后xiānhòupriority先後
领先lǐngxiānto lead領先
优先yōuxiānto have priority優先
率先shuàixiānto take the lead
事先shìxiānin advance
原先yuánxiānoriginally
先前xiānqiánbefore
先锋xiānfēngvanguard先鋒
先行in advance
最先(the) very first
预先yùxiānbeforehand預先
祖先zǔxiānancestor
抢先to forestall搶先
先天xiāntiāninborn
先知prophet
先天性congenital
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 选 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 先
You can say 先吃饭，再看电影 (xiān chī fàn, zài kàn diàn yǐng), which means 'First eat, then watch a movie.'
While 先 is primarily used for time sequences, it can also be used in contexts that emphasize priority or importance.
Yes, you can use 先 to refer to someone respected or with seniority, as in 先辈 (xiān bèi, 'predecessor').
